Oscars host Chris Rock has won praise for his hilarious yet poignant monologue about racism in Hollywood.
Kicking off the 88th Academy Awards the comedian took aim at Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, who have boycotted the show in a bid to protest the lack of diversity among the nominees.
“I’m here at the Academy Awards, otherwise known as the White People’s Choice Awards. This is the wildest Oscars to host – no black nominees. People are like ‘Chris you should quit!’ How come it’s only unemployed people that tell you to quit something? I thought about it. The last thing I need is to lose another job to Kevin Hart,” he teased.
Before moving on to Will and Jada: “What happened this year? People went mad! Jada went mad! Jada said she’s not coming. Isn’t she on a TV show?”
“Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties – I wasn’t invited… that’s not an invitation I would not turn down,” the 51-year-old quipped, taking a swipe at her career.
Chris Rock’s opening monologue was unapologetic.
He continued: “I understand they’re mad. I’m not hating. Will’s not nominated for Concussion.”
“It’s not fair Will was this good and didn’t get nominated. You know what’s also not fair? That Will was paid $20 million for Wild Wild West, OK,” he added as the crowd erupted.
Chris also made an impassioned plea for black stars to be consecutively given good roles .
“It’s not about boycotting. We want opportunity! We want black actors to get the same opportunities – that’s it. Not just once! Leo gets a great part every year! All you guys get great parts all the time. What about the black actors?”
It didn’t take long for Twitter to overflow with praise. “Chris Rock killin’ it so far,” one user wrote.
“#ChrisRock is absolutely DESTROYING,” another added.
